paperbark students looking at a powerpoint

The English Major

As an English major at UMass Amherst, you'll develop powerful skills for reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking. You can personalize your major by choosing from among specializations in literature, writing, technology, social justice, and the environment.

Group shot of grad students in a classroom

MA/PhD in English

Our Graduate Program offers both MA and PhD degrees in English. Students can choose from a broad range of graduate-level courses in English studies and pursue interdisciplinary approaches informed by cultural studies and contemporary critical theory.

Sam Virzi's MFA notebook.

MFA for Poets and Writers

The MFA for Poets and Writers champions the creation of new and important writing, and for over 50 years has been a place for writers to concentrate on their work and to write their books.

Upcoming Events

See more events
27
Sep
Sep 27 9:00 am - Mar 30 5:00 pm ET (Multiday)
Shakespeare Unbound: A Campuswide Special Exhibit
26
Mar
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm ET
Department Meeting

Spotlight on a Student: Lauren Saloio at NASA

My English courses at UMass taught me how to think critically and tailor my writing to a particular audience, which was a key skill to have at NASA. In the Professional Writing and Technical Communication program, there was a huge emphasis on recognizing what technical knowledge our audience might or might not have and how to tailor our writing accordingly.

Lauren Saloio
2023
Lauren Saloio next to the NASA logo